UNITED CHURCH NEWS
October, 2005 Volume
10, Issue 10
A community of faith providing nurture,
strength, and direction for living today in Gods world.
From
the Interim Pastors Pen:
The
United Church is making good progress in
working through the congregational tasks of an interim time. Plans and procedures are being developed to
guide your ministry for the next three years.
Progress is being made on the search and selection of a new pastor.
As
you move forward you will continue to have various perspectives, opinions, and
even conflicts regarding how to be Gods church for today. Conflicts can be harmful and even
destructive, at the same time, conflicts can be an opportunity for new
insights, learning, and individual and congregational growth. Disagreements can illuminate a topic in
helpful ways and can present solutions which previously had not been seen. Resolution of conflict can also bind people
together in creative and productive ways.
The following guidelines were adopted by the General Assembly of the PC(USA)
and excellent guidelines for us.
Listen before we answer. John 7:51
and Proverbs 18:13
1. Treat each
other respectfully so as to build trust, believing that we all desire to be
faithful to Christ.
2. Learn
about various positions on the topic of disagreement.
3. State what
we think we heard and ask for clarification before responding, in an effort to
be sure we understand each other.
Speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15
4. Share our
concerns directly with individuals or groups with whom we have disagreements in
a spirit of love and respect in keeping with Jesus teachings.
5. Focus on
ideas and suggestions instead of questioning peoples motives, intelligence or
integrity.
6. Share our
personal experiences about the subject of disagreement so that others may more
fully understand our concerns.
Maintain
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace - Ephesians 4:3
7. Indicate
where we agree with those of other viewpoints as well as where we disagree.
8. Seek to stay in community with each other
though the discussion may be vigorous and full of tension.
9. Follow
these additional guidelines when we meet in decision-making bodies: urge persons of various points of view to
speak and promise to listen to these positions seriously; seek conclusions
informed by our points of agreement; be sensitive to the feelings and concerns
of those who do not agree with the majority and respect their rights of
conscience; abide by the decision of the majority, and if we disagree with it
and wish to change it, work for that change in ways which are consistent with
these Guidelines.
10. Include our
disagreement in our prayers, not praying for the triumph of our viewpoints, but
seeking Gods grace to listen attentively, to speak clearly, and to remain open
to the vision God holds for us all.
Members
of your Church Board are men and women who want to honor God and fulfill their
ordination promise of working for the peace, unity and purity of the
Church. I invite you to join them in
practicing these guidelines so that our differences can become occasions for grace,
growth and understanding.
Worship,
Music, & Spiritual Life
World Communion Sunday
On
Sunday, Oct. 2nd, with Christians around the world we meet at the Table of the Lord. Colorful banners, a variety of tablecloths
from around the world, and breads from many cultures will be part of our
celebration. At UCF we have often shared the Greeting of Peace in several
languages as a sign of our oneness in Christ.
The Childrens Chimes Choir will lead Hes got
the whole world in his hands. What does World Communion Sunday mean to you? Read below a letter from a Presbyterian
mission co-worker from Guatemala
who shares her experience.
During worship the Presbyterian Commitment
to Peacemaking will be signed and our relationship with the Baptist Peace
Fellowship will be affirmed, both recently adopted by the church board.
Make World Communion Sunday a tradition
for your church family and expand the circle by inviting a friend!
World
Communion Sunday....
....in
Another Part of the World
(A
letter from Presbyterian mission co-worker Ellen Dawson in Guatemala Oct, 2004)
When we
partake of the bread of life and the cup of salvation we are empowered for
Christlike living. I dont think
I will ever take Communion in the same way again..... Today, we were in San Juan Ixcoy, a small
town about two hours from Huehuetenango. It is literally nestled in the
mountains.... At the conclusion of the worship service, we were invited forward
to share in Communion. Lisa whispered, Its World
Communion Sunday. It was then that I realized
why there was a big table in the front of the church with a floral tablecloth
on top. Our
bread was a piece of a club cracker, served out of a plastic container. Our
wine was grape Fanta in what appeared to be a shot glass, served from a simple
white tin platter. No loaf of bread on a beautiful plate, no silver pitcher to
pour the wine into a shiny chalice.As I closed my eyes to pray and partake in
Communion, I could only smile, overwhelmed with humility. I pictured my church
in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where the elders have to
squeeze through the aisles in the balcony to pass the platters of bread and
trays full of cups of juice. At home in my church, I would most likely be in
the choir loft behind the pulpit for Communion. It really is the best seat in
the house, because you can literally see Christs love
being passed from person to person. I would always watch as members looked at
each other and whispered, Christs
blood, shed for you. And here I was in Guatemala, picturing my church
sharing in the same sacrament. Today....I opened my eyes to see a concrete
wall, the other volunteers at my side, and a woman, her hair braided with
fabric in a way unique to indigineous Guatemalan women. Instead of organ music
or a violin, I heard a man playing his guitar, rain on the tin roof, and a
crying baby. I was also able to also picture people....in churches
all over the world, sharing in Communion with our brothers and sisters in
Christ....After the service, we passed the peace by shaking hands or hugging
and saying, Paz de Cristo. Then,
a little boy named Francisco, who was no more than 3 years old, took hold of my
hand as we walked in the light rain to the other side of town.... What a way to
spend World Communion Sundaywith my brothers and sisters
here in Guatemala, amidst the beauty of the land here, sitting on a wooden
bench in a tiny church, and taking the weekend to just let God reassure me over
and over again that He has a purpose for me here, one of which is just to be
here and share with the lives of the people I have met and have yet to meet.
On this
World Communion Sunday, I really did feel empowered for Christlike living in a
completely new way. Its a way that reminds me of the
importance of knowing this world, loving this world, and feeling lucky to be a
part of this world as a child of God.... Benediciones, Ellen Elenita
Join us
in Worship & Spiritual Life Planning
Next
meeting - Tuesday, Oct. 11th, 7
PM
Updates:
on the drama team, planning for upcoming services and for Advent and Christmas,
review a draft of a UCF funerals &
memorial services booklet.
At regular meetings, the Worship &
Spiritual Life committee continues to learn about new worship resources. At the July meeting childrens
sermon resources and websites were shared and at the September meeting planning
websites used by our staff were introduced while we gathered around the office computer: the
Presbyterian website:
(www.pcusa.org/theologyandworship), (cont....)
the
United Methodist worship & music website; (www.gbod.org/worship), and an ecumenical site
(www.textweek.com)
based on the
text this week for links to scripture study, worship
resources, art through the centuries, drama, movies, commentaries on the
lectionary passages. Each of these
websites is easy to navigate and church members will find them interesting and
helpful - take a look and find what interests you, or where it might lead
you.
Word to
the children - we are looking forward to increased involvement
by children in the older elementary classes who have been invited to lead
occasional childrens sermons.
Our
Choirs are off to a great start - WOW! Theres room
for you to join us and prepare for fall services and Advent and Christmas
services coming. Speak with one of the
directors or any of the members!
October
9th - Baptisms
We will
baptize in worship: Xavier Greene, son
of Jennifer and Tony Greene; Vivian Larsen, daughter of Barbara Larsen; and
Katie Schmidt, daughter of Wendy Knafelc-Schmidt and Cheryl Schmidt. Welcome children of God!
On the
occasion of the baptism of my daughter
What I
want most for my daughter is for her to know that she belongs to God and is
loved by God. And that the God who loves
her and gave her to us as a precious gift is the same God who made all the
creatures of the earth, and who loves all the children of the world. I want her to cry when other children cry,
and to laugh when other children laugh.
I want my daughter to love others as she is loved - to be generous and
compassionate and forgiving. I want her
to feel the connectedness of human life and all creation.
So I
bring her today to the waters of baptism that she may feel on her forehead the
cool, refreshing blessing of God. May
she know from now until the day she dies that her life is in God's hands and
may she realize that she is connected by water and the Spirit to the family of
God. - by Karen Burner Graham, reprinted from Alive/Now,
May/June 1994.
Oct. 16th
- National Childrens Sabbath
Forbid
them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.
UCF
joins with thousands of other congregations across the nations in the 14th
annual National Observance of Childrens
Sabbaths. The weekend unites religious
congregations of all faiths in common concern for children and common
commitment to improving their lives and working for justice on their
behalf. A daily devotional guide will be
distributed to week before to help people prepare for Childrens
Sabbath.
Music
& Worship from Iona Community &
Plans
for UCF & Presbytery Trip to IONA 2006!
On September 25th we
welcomed Rev. Nelson Reppert and Joan Reppert to lead songs and a service of
welcome from the Iona Community. They
led the Adult Forum that day on the Iona
Community in Scotland. Joan and Nelson spent 6
weeks as volunteers at this historic center of Celtic Christianity.
Iona is
a tiny island in the Scottish Hebrides whose centerpiece is a 12th century
Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey was restored in the 1940s by
Scottish Presbyterian pastor, George MacLeod and a group of seminarians - a
project which gave birth to the Iona Community. This dispersed monastic
community, with hundreds of members worldwide, uses a rule for living that includes
work, worship, prayer and social and political action.
The Iona Community hosts retreats and leads
twice-daily worship in the Abbey
Church. Other facilities have been built on the
island by the Community, including a modern retreat center and a gift shop.
They also run a youth camp for troubled youth nearby on the Isle of Mull.
Iona is a
renowned holy place, a thin place, where
the membrane between heaven and earth is thin; and
where it is said that heaven is a foot above a persons head.
Plans are currently being made for adults
from CNY who want to experience life in community in this very special place
for a week long program summer 2006.
There is space for reflection and quiet, fun and laughter as well as
shared learning about what is going on in the world, time to talk about our
faith journeys, tell stories, wrestle with theology and engage with current
issues. For information contact Jackie
Meyer.
Alice Dickerson Hatt, Minister of Music
& Worship,
Kathy Bohnsack, Worship & Spiritual
Life, Chr.
Whats Up from Down Under
Sharing
and Caring by the Young People
Of
United Church
Mark these upcoming events on
your calendars !
Sun. Oct. 1 1-3:00 p.m. Kids make no-sew polar fleece scarves for Samaritan Center
Sun. Oct. 23
1:30 p.m. Cropwalk
Sun. Oct.
30 Third Grade Bible Presentation
Pick up UNICEF
Boxes
Mon.Oct. 31 Trick or Treat for UNICEF
Fri.
Nov. 4 5:30
p.m. Fall Game Night
Fri.
Nov. 6 Turn in UNICEF boxes
Sun. Nov. 6-13 Candy
Collection
Lifesavers, Hershey
Kisses and Marbles?!? Sunday School greeters, Sandy Mason, Shelley Everding, Martha and Greg Ketcham were in place early to welcome back an
enthusiastic crowd of kids, families and teachers for the first day of
classes. To mark the beginning of this
great Sunday School year, every child received a "Welcome Goodie Bag"
filled with reminders of a few of life's essentials and Bible verses to
match. How about a candle to remind you
to share your light! (Mattthew 5:14-16) (Oops, guess that was a cotton ball, not
cotton candy!!) Decorated bags of animal
crackers thrilled the littler children.
Make Polar Fleece Scarves! Offerings from Children's Morning
Worship in September and October buy the material for making scarves for Samaritan
Center clients. UCF kids will make the scarves at the church
on Saturday, Oct. 1, 1-3 p.m. The scarves
will be cut from polar fleece and the children will cut fringe with scissors. There is absolutely no sewing
involved!!!! We plan to make over 50
scarves. Parent volunteers are needed! Call Brenda Hines, 637-4008.
Rush to Usher! Always wanted to pass
the plate? The second Sunday of every month on the usher sign-up sheet has been
reserved for Sunday school families.
There are only a few openings left to fill. Be sure and sign up while there are still
opportunities for this very important ministry in our church! Families can also participate as greeters and
liturgists by contacting the church office at 637-3186.
Buy Your Entertainment Book Now!!! Childrens Ministries Committee is selling
this great collection of coupons giving great discounts for restaurants, stores
and other entertainment services in the local and surrounding area. Proceeds will support the activities of
Children's Ministries. Let friends and
family know about this great opportunity!
Books will be for sale outside the sanctuary or call Brenda Hines at
637-4008.
CROPWALK on Sunday, Oct. 23, 1:30-4 p.m.
CROPWALK
is sponsored by Church World Services and raises money and awareness to fight
hunger around the world. Kids and their families can make a difference! So, grab that pledge form and get moving. Questions?
Call Curtis Wenke, our UCF Cropwalk coordinator.
Bibles for Third Graders Coming Up! Bibles will be presented to our third graders during the worship
service on October 30, Reformation Sunday.
Receiving the gift of the Word of God is an important step in each
child's spiritual journey. By our
presence at this presentation we can affirm our commitment to help them along
on that journey.
Trick or Treat for UNICEF! Pick up your orange UNICEF collection box
kids on Sunday, Oct. 23 or Oct. 30.
Bring them with you when you trick or treat on Halloween night. UNICEF initiatives help provide schooling,
clean water, basic health care and much, much more to a world in need. You do make a real difference with the
donations you collect. To learn more
about UNICEF and how you can help, visit their website at www.unicefusa.org. Return boxes to church on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Judy
Spencer
Director
of Children's Ministries
Enjoy
a "Monopoly" on Fun
Friday, Nov. 4, 5:30 p.m.
All are invited to gather
at the church to share a supper and an evening full of "Trivial
Pursuit". Great for all ages! Bring your favorite board
games and card games to share. Get a "Clue"
and invite your friends and neighbors for a challenging evening of
"Concentration"!!!!! The gym will
also be open for recreation. Sign up
begins Oct. 16th.
Fall Game Night
You of little faith why do you doubt,
said Jesus to the apostle Peter (Matthew 14:31).
We are a lot like Peter. We are eager to
jump out of the boat to follow Jesus.
But when we see the treacherous water ahead we panic and sink. I hope we
are all able to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Let us be fearless, inspired and eager to follow in the months
ahead.
The Youth have
many plans in October after having a successful September. We hope to have an energized group ready to
walk for hunger at the Crop Walk on the 23rd, and we also plan to do
the annual Rake and Run the following Sunday.
If anyone knows of any parishioners that may need their lawn raked
please let me know.
We also plan to
get the youth room redecorated soon, and we are in the process of looking for
furniture and appliances to help revitalize the room. We are looking for a few couches, chairs, a
small refrigerator, cabinets, microwave and a DVD/VCR player. If you have a
donation of any kind, feel free to contact me.
Thanks to all who
have welcomed me into this church. I anticipate an exciting year ahead, and
will do my best to keep my eyes upon Jesus.
In Christ,
Timothy Underwood
Director of Youth Ministries
The
New Vision Mission Study Update!
Over the weekend of September 16th
six Task Forces met to create Action Plans for the Mission Study Objectives.
Each Mission Objective had a Task Force that was charged with determining how
the goals of the objective were to be met, what the timeline for reaching that
goal was, and what person(s) or groups or committees will be responsible for
the implementation. The groups shared
ideas, asked probing questions and shared a laugh or two. Im happy to report that all groups finished
their tasks before the designated ending time.
The Board will be adopting the Action Plans at
their October Board Meeting. From there
we will oversee the progress and keep you, the Congregation posted on the
progress.
Thank
you to the Task Force conveners and members for giving up your time to help UCF
move forward on our Mission Journey.
submitted by Beth Krauss,
moderator of UCF Board
NEW DIRECTOR OF YOUTH
MINISTRIES
TIM UNDERWOOD
It is with great pleasure
that the United Church of Fayetteville welcomes our new Director of Youth
Ministries, Tim Underwood. Tim is a
graduate of Nottingham
High School and Utica College. This past summer he earned his Masters Degree
in Social Work from Syracuse
University.
Tim has had a variety of
experiences working with young people of all ages including running the youth
program at the Erwin
United Methodist
Church. He is currently employed on a part-time basis
by the YWCA. He serves as a program
director of a unique program for boys and girls which is located at the Minoa Elementary
School. Tim recently became engaged and enjoys
biking, running, golfing and spending time with his family and fiancι. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and
creativity to us here at UCF and we all look forward to getting our youth
program rolling.
Tim is affiliated with the Erwin United
Methodist Church
in Syracuse
where his father was a pastor for eight and a half years. His Dad currently serves as a District
Superintendent with the Methodist
Church. Prior to coming to Syracuse, Tim and his family lived in the
Herkimer area for ten years.
Tims faith
statement:
"My
life has taken many unexpected turns. I
have endured many successes, failures and even adversity, yet, I have endured
(as most humans do), and especially kept my faith in the Lord Jesus and He has
walked with me every step of my life. He
is all around. Whether I am alone in my
car or with family and friends, I know that the Lord is there to guide and
protect me. I feel like I am steering a
boat out at sea. Some days, on this
life's long voyage, are calm and serene; however, there are days when the sea
is angry and reckless, tossing my boat from side to side. I soon fear the eventual destiny of my boat,
because it is on the brink of disaster.
The Lord, however, is pointing me toward safety. My Bible is my map, and my faith is my
guide. I trust in the Lord and feel so
happy. I am happy because I am so
blessed. My blessings are innumerable,
which I try to rejoice about every day. I am enthusiastic and hope that the
enthusiasm I feel can inspire and call others to serve the Lord. The opportunity to teach humility, discipline
and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is so important and an enormous
responsibility. The youth of this church
would learn much from me; likewise, I would learn much from the youth. Together we will be instruments for Christ,
and we will rejoice and share our gifts with the community."
by Tim L. Underwood
